✨ In Concert with Stephen Diaz ✨ A rare chance to hear one of New Zealand’s finest countertenors and NZOS alumnus, Stephen Diaz, live in the beautiful atrium of the Whanganui Regional Museum. Joined by pianist Bruce Greenfield, Stephen will perform Maneras de Amar — a stunning programme exploring the many faces of love. 🎶 “It is Stephen Diaz as Athamas who steals the scene, the countertenor having such a sumptuous richness of timbre… sending shivers of delight throughout the room.” – Sarah Kidd, 2020 Fresh from concerts with Bach Musica NZ and Orpheus Choir Wellington & Auckland Choral, Stephen returns from Europe for this special evening in Whanganui. With only 120 tickets available, it’s one not to miss! 📆 Wednesday 1 October ⏰ 5pm 📍 Whanganui Regional Museum 🎟️ $35 → Book here: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153739 📸 Stephen Diaz at the 2023 NZOS Winter Gala #nzoperaschool #nzos #opera

From Auckland to the world’s greatest opera houses, Pene Pati is living a dream shared by every young singer — this season he will make his debut at the legendary Teatro alla Scala in Milan, singing Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. La Scala is the ultimate stage in opera history, and Pene’s arrival there is nothing short of monumental. 🌟 And that’s just one highlight in a season overflowing with milestones: Recital at New York’s Park Avenue Armory (Sept 24 & 26, 2025) with pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg La Traviata at Staatsoper Berlin (Oct 2 & 4, 2025), conducted by Karel Marek Chichon Major debuts as Hoffmann (Les contes d’Hoffmann, Staatsoper Berlin), Werther (Opéra Comique Paris), and Tito (La Clemenza di Tito, Zürich Opera) Concerts including Faust at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Verdi’s Requiem in Naples, and *Berlioz’s Requiem at Paris’ Philharmonie Step by step, stage by stage, Pene is conquering the operatic world — and his La Scala debut will mark a pinnacle moment in that journey. Bravo, Pene! 👏 #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #PenePati #LaScala #OperaWorld

🌍✨ Alumni Update: Aidan Thomas Phillips ✨🌍 As summer closes in the northern hemisphere, tenor Aidan Thomas Phillips reflects on an extraordinary year of milestones: 🎭 Debut as Tamino (Die Zauberflöte, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Opera School) – praised by Opera Scotland as “a more dramatically voiced prince than we usually hear.” 🎓 Graduated with a Masters in Opera from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, part of the final cohort of this unique two-year programme. 🎶 Tenor soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Marlow Orchestra, marking their 10th anniversary. 🇮🇹 Ismaele in Verdi’s Nabucco with Tayside Opera, bringing this masterpiece to audiences across two venues. ❤️‍🔥 Don José in Carmen (Clyde Opera Group) – with only 10 days’ rehearsal, won acclaim from the Edinburgh Music Review for his “vocally and dramatically convincing” portrayal. 🔮 What’s next? Aidan will soon take on the role of Leukippos in Strauss’ Daphne with Edinburgh Players Opera Group — his first step into the Jugendlicher Heldentenor repertoire, a path that could see his voice grow toward Wagnerian roles in the future. We’re excited to follow Aidan’s journey — proof that hard work, courage, and opportunity can take NZOS alumni to incredible places. 🌟 #NZOperaSchool #AlumniUpdate #OperaFuture #TenorLife #OperaTraining

🥂✨ Brindisi: A Toast to Our Rising Stars ✨🥂 On Wednesday 20 August, we celebrated our young, rising opera stars at the annual Freemasons Foundation Opera Dinner, hosted by the Northern Club in Auckland. Supported by our principal sponsors, the Freemasons Foundation, this sparkling evening has become one of the most treasured traditions in our calendar. Our brilliant alumni lit up the night: 🎶 Emma Jones – soprano 🎶 Olivia Forbes – soprano 🎶 Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono – tenor 🎶 Edward Smith – bass-baritone 🎹 At the piano: the incomparable Somi Kim 🎤 With crowd favourite Jack Bourke as MC Nights like these remind us of the joy opera brings when shared at the table and in song. Here’s to many more. 🌟 📸 Credit: @azphotography.co.nz #OperaDinner #OperaTraining #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #Opera

✨🎭 Opera lovers, it’s happening THIS weekend only in Wellington! 🎭✨ Don’t miss Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges presented by the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī at Hannah Playhouse. A magical one-act opera brought to life by emerging voices — the future of opera right here in Aotearoa. 🌟 📅 Friday 5 & Saturday 6 September | 7:30pm 📍 Memorial Theatre, Wellington 🎟️ Tickets: Eventfinda link It’s on for two nights only — let’s pack the theatre and support the next generation of artists. 💫 #OperaInWellington #NZOperaCommunity #OperaTraining #SupportTheArts

✨ Opening night!✨ Our friends at NZ Opera are about to open their bold new production The Monster in the Maze — a powerful reimagining of the Minotaur myth, told through community voices and professionals standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Featuring the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus, this one-hour, English-language opera is a true celebration of collaboration and storytelling. 📍 Christchurch | 5–6 Sept | Isaac Theatre Royal 📍 Wellington | 12–13 Sept | St James Theatre 📍 Auckland | 19–20 Sept | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre 🎟️ Tickets from just $25 for students & under-25s | $45 for adults. 👉 nzopera.com/opera/the-monster-in-the-maze Don’t miss this celebration of music, myth, and community.Join us in supporting this beautiful fusion of community, storytelling, and opera—it’s a moment you’ll be glad you witnessed. #NZOpera #TheMonsterInTheMaze #OperaInTheCommunity #TicketsOnSale #OperaAotearoa

'In Concert with Stephen Diaz' - rare counter-tenor voice Join us for a unique opportunity to see NZOS alumni and counter tenor, Stephen Diaz, in the atrium of the Whanganui Regional Museum on Wednesday 1st October (5pm). Accompanied by pianist Bruce Greenfield, Stephen will take us on a journey through various manners of love in a programme titled 'Maveras de Amar'. In 2020 following his performance of Athamas in NZ Opera's season of Handel's Semele, critic Sarah Kidd remarked: "It is Stephen Diaz as Athamas who steals the scene, the countertenor having such a sumptuous richness of timbre that it simultaneously fills the void while wrapping itself around you. His ability to deliver those natural falsetto notes with gentle caress sending shivers of delight throughout the room.” Stephen joins us from Europe as he returns to New Zealand to perform Concerts with Bach Musica NZ (21 Sep) and 'O Fortuna!' with Orpheus Choir Wellington & Auckland Choral (27 Sept). With only 120 tickets available, this is one concert not to miss! 📆 Wednesday 1st October ⏰ 5pm 🎫 https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153739 See less

It feels like yesterday that Samuel Downes called Donald Trott, wondering how he could ever make overseas study possible. Within weeks, with the help of the Freemasons Foundation, the path opened — and Sam became the first recipient of their new scholarship, heading to San Francisco to study with internationally renowned coach César Ulloa (and former NZOS tutor). Fast forward to today: Sam has completed his San Francisco chapter, graduating with a Professional Studies Certificate, and is now in London thanks to the 2025 Victoria League Scholarship for Singing. The award provides him with 12 months of accommodation at the Victoria League’s house in London — a vital base as he begins the next stage of his career. Right now, Sam is completing the Tosti International Singing Academy in Folkestone before fully settling into this exciting new chapter. As a rare Heldentenor, Sam’s voice already stands out. We know he’s a very special talent — and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way. 🌍🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

🎭 Alumni Update – Mike Liu From Verdi to Bizet to Bach Musica – it’s been a big year for tenor Mike Liu. So far in 2025 he’s sung in the choruses of La Bohème and La Traviata, made his small-role debut as Giuseppe for APO’s La Traviata, performed at a few of our Hilton Fridays, and taken the stage with Bach Musica and Opera Factory. Next up? The Monster in the Maze – his third opera of the year. We’ll miss having Mike with us in 2026, but it’s a joy to watch him thrive and keep making music across Aotearoa. 💛 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

A big bravo to soprano Alexandra Francis, who completed her Master of Performance at the prestigious @rcmlondon. Studying at a world-class conservatoire like the Royal College of Music offers not only exceptional training, but also a chance to immerse in an international community of musicians, explore new repertoire, and work alongside some of the industry’s most inspiring mentors. We’re proud to see our NZOS whānau continuing their journeys abroad — bringing their skills, artistry, and Aotearoa spirit to the global stage. 🌏🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

✨ Brindisi: Toast to Our Rising Stars! ✨ Tonight, in the beautiful setting of the Northern Club, our annual Freemasons event celebrates the brilliance of young opera voices with an unforgettable programme themed around one of opera’s greatest traditions: the toast! 🥂 Guests will be treated to an evening of Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, Charpentier, and more — all culminating in the effervescent Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from La Traviata. Our rising stars for the evening: Emma Jones – soprano Olivia Forbes – soprano Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono – tenor Edward Smith – bass-baritone At the piano, the incomparable Somi Kim, internationally acclaimed pianist and long-time NZOS collaborator. And guiding us through the evening with wit and warmth: Jack Bourke, NZOS Digital Director, Tenor and crowd favourite! Here’s to music, to community, and to the rising stars who light the way forward for opera in Aotearoa. 🌟 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Aotearoa #Freemasons

✨ Tonight, one of our most cherished traditions returns: the annual Northern Club dinner in Auckland supported by the Freemasons Foundation. This sold-out evening is always a highlight — elegant surroundings, an enthusiastic audience, and of course, the generous support of the Freemasons Foundation, our Principal Sponsor, who make so much of what we do possible. Here’s a little glimpse of tonight’s setting before the music begins… 🎶 #NZOS #FreemasonsFoundation #NorthernClub #OperaEvening